CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Editor's Note: This story discusses sexual assault. While no acts are explicitly detailed, reader discretion is advised.
A Mecklenburg County Public Health Department worker was arrested Tuesday after police said he sexually assaulted a woman when he posed as a medical professional.
“Nobody wants to be violated that type of way,” Caitlin Figueroa, the responding CMPD officer, said.
The victim reported the incident on July 11, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. She told Figueroa that a man impersonating a medical professional gave her an exam at her home in east Charlotte.
“The day before she received a phone call from the subject, basically stating that he wanted to come by her home the next day and complete a medical exam on her," Figueroa said.
The type of exam given wasn't released. However, police have labeled the case as a sexual assault investigation.
The suspect, 41-year-old Daniel Pitti-Casazola, was working as a Spanish interpreter with the health department, officials confirmed.
Officer Figueroa said the victim has spoken to the suspect over the phone in the past and that's why she originally felt comfortable.
“She recognized his voice from previous calls,” Figueroa said.
A county spokesperson said Pitti-Casazola was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. He has been an employee with the county since 2014.
“I think in every profession there are people who have access, where they’re in position of power and things like sexual assault do happen,” Laura Lawrence, president and Chief Executive Officer of Safe Alliance, said.
Lawrence said there are many reasons why sexual assault survivors may not come forward. One reason is self-blame.
“It’s not your fault, you did not cause this issue," Lawrence said. "The best thing you can do is, when you are ready, there are people in this community who want to help you and they will help you."
Pitti-Casazola was arrested Tuesday after interviewing with detectives about the incident. He was charged with felony sexual contact under pretext of medical treatment and given a written promise to appear in court as a condition of release.
CMPD said its investigation is still in the early stages and detectives are asking anyone who may be a victim to come forward.
“We're here for you we like to really advocate for our victims," Figueroa said. “I believe in justice, these people should pay for what they do.”
There are many cases where victims of sexual assault don't come forward initially and wait years to say anything. Under current North Carolina law, you don't have to report immediately, but Attorney Gary Mauney said there are time limitations put in place.
“The victim has two paths," Mauney said. "Path one is criminal charges, the police, an assault situation, they know about it and they ask you about it and say do you want to press charges and you say yes or no. All that has to happen in two years.”
If you are looking to seek monetary damages, the statute of limitations is three years. He added there are special circumstances where the number could increase but it's rare.
“The legislature passed a law that extended the statute of limitations in that regard you might have a repressed memory of what has occurred," Mauney said.
Anyone with information about this incident or any other case involving Pitti-Casazola was asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Anyone who believes they may also be a victim is asked to call 704-336-8279 and speak directly to a Sex Assault Unit detective.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
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